Nature Corner: Bee StingsBees are marvelous creatures of God that help flowers make seeds through the process of pollination. But watch out! Never try to touch a bee. They can sting you if they feel threatened. Did you know at the end of a bee's tail is a stinger? If a bee stings, it releases a tiny, tiny, tiny drop of venom through its sharp stinger that really, really hurts. It's amazing that such a tiny amount of venom can cause so much pain. The Bible says in 1 Samuel 14:6, "Nothing restrains the Lord from saving by many or by few." If God can give the bee this tiny, but powerful venom as a way to protect itself, surely God can help us in our big challenges, even if we are small or have just a tiny bit of resources. God fulfilled this verse for Gideon in our story today. With a tiny army, God helped Gideon defeat the big army of the Midianites.

Memory Mastery: Creation WeekThis is the final week we will practice the days of creation as a class. In fact, we will be presenting the days of creation to the church congregation at church next week. Please, please practice with your child at home. We will also be singing All Things Bright and Beautiful. The children are responsible for knowing the refrain.

Mission Mail: Giuseppe Finds GodDear Patterson Kids,My name is Giuseppe, and I am 13 years old. I live in Italy. When I was 8 years old, I started attending the Adventurer Club at the Adventist Church. It was lots of fun, so I stayed on and am now a Pathfinder. In Adventurers and Pathfinders, I learn a lot about God, good morals, and helpful skills.At school, when the teacher said that everything started from evolution, I spoke up and shared what I learned in the Bible - that God made everything in 6 days.I like coming to the Adventist Church and want to always be a pathfinder. I know Jesus is coming soon. I want to tell others about His love for them. Are you in Adventurer Club?Sincerely,​Giuseppe

​God called Gideon of the tribe of Manasseh to defeat Israel’s enemy the Midianites. Gideon sent word to the surrounding tribes of Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali. Many men came forward to fight beside Gideon’s men of Manasseh.

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​God said, “There are too many men ready to fight. I don’t want everyone thinking you defeated the Midianites without Me. We need less men. Tell them that anyone who is afraid can go home.” When Gideon told the men to go home if they were afraid, 22,000 men went home. 10,000 men stayed.

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​God said, “There are still too many men in your army. Bring them down to the water, and I will test them there.” So, Gideon brought the men to the water. The men started drinking water. 300 men drank quickly, scooping up water with their hands to drink, so they could keep their eye out for the enemy. The rest of the men drank leisurely, putting their face into the water to drink. “By the 300 men, I will save Israel from the Midianites,” the Lord said.

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​That night, God told Gideon to spy on the Midianite camp. He went down and heard one Midianite soldier telling a dream that said that God would help Gideon defeat them.

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​Gideon rose up and armed his men with torches, trumpets, and clay pots. They lit their torches. When Gideon blew his trumpet, all his 300 men blew theirs and said, “The sword of the Lord and of Gideon!” Then they crashed their clay pots and came rushing in on the Midianite army.

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​The Midianites were so scared that they destroyed themselves and ran away.